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What`s not to love about the all-new, full-size Chevy Blazer?

After you`ve purchased a pole to vault into the vehicle that stands a few feet higher off the ground than you do, and after you`ve obtained the secondmortgage on your home to have the funds to fill the tank, you can cruise theroadways in a Blazer to your heart`s content.

If you haven`t enjoyed the thrill of nursing a groin pull since your high school P.E. class, the big Blazer will bring back fond memories, along withthe ice pack and heating pad.

The full-size Blazer, identified as the K15 to keep it separate from thesmaller compact S-10 unit, is for big strapping men or women with long legs.If you wear a skirt and try entering the K15, you probably will find yourself on a future episode of “Hard Copy“-especially if you`re a man.

The vehicle begs for a running board and wouldn`t it be nice if Chevrolet beat Chrysler to the market with one of those automatic running boards thatpowers out from under the rocker panels when you open the door and slips back into its hiding place when you close the door. Chrysler has been toying withthat concept for two years.

Of course, getting into the front seat is only half the fun. Trying toget into the back seat of this two-door should be an Olympic event. A handlealong the side of the front seats sends the seat motoring forward sopassengers can climb aboard, and the operative word is climb. Chevy and Fordhave been working on four-door versions of the full-size utility vehicle. Itwould be a welcome addition to the line.

Once in the saddle, about the only other problem with the big Blazer ishaving to get out rather frequently to refill the 30-gallon gas tank. The 5.7-liter, 210-horsepower V-8 engine provides enough power to tow up to 7,000pounds from the bumper in back (up from 6,000 pounds in 1991). But the mileagerating is only 13 miles per gallon city/17 m.p.g. highway with the automaticin our test vehicle came. If you opt for the standard 5-speed manual you gain only 1 m.p.g. in highway driving.

When the roads are wet or full of snow the 13/17 rating is immaterial.Your objective in poor weather is staying on the pavement without slipping andsliding so you can get to and from work or the store or have a vehicle thatwill service you in any emergency. At those times, you appreciate the Blazer`sfour-wheel drive.

For most, however, 13/17 rules out using the big Blazer as a dailycommuter when the roads are dry.

What about the high-mileage, 6.2-liter Chevy diesel? Not in the `92Blazer.

Having 4WD was comforting, but unlike Ford Motor Co., Chevy requires youto shift into 4WD by reaching down to the floor, groping for the transfer casehandle and engaging the wheels by yanking the handle. Ford offers a muchsimpler system called a “button“-on the dash. When you want to engage 4WD,you press finger to button.

“Chevy owners like to pull levers,“ one official told us with whatappeared to be a straight face. “Like a Rock“ isn`t just the Chevy ad theme.It also refers to the skull of anyone who thinks taking eyes off the road and bending over while traveling at 50 m.p.h. to pull a lever to engage all fourwheels is what those big strapping men and women who buy Blazers expect out oflife.

In Blazer`s favor, it comes with four-wheel anti-lock brakes as standard, whereas its Ford Bronco competition has only rear-wheel ABS.

Before you think the Blazer is a lost cause, keep in mind it`s not foreveryone. Production of the all new model has been so slow that only a handfulof states and a handful of dealers have any to sell.

For 1992 the Blazer adopts the styling, chassis and powertrain of thefull-size Chevy C/K pickup truck.

It has grown. Wheelbase is now 111.5 inches, up from 106.5 in 1991, andlength is 187.7 inches, up from 184.8 inches.

That added length also means better ride and handling. T he center ofgravity is higher in the full-size Blazer but you don`t feel like you`re on a rocking horse. And you don`t feel queasy when taking a turn at speed from the dramatic body lean and sway you`d experience in the shorter wheelbase `91model. The road manners are much improved. The longer wheelbase also movesoccupants further away from the axles and that helps eliminate road harshness transmitted to the seats and wheel.

The added size also helped boost towing capability to 7,000 pounds from6,000. And towing and snow plowing and tossing the rifle, bow or rod in backand tying the boat to the bumper and taking off for the great outdoors aresome reasons people buy a Blazer and put up with groin pulls and gas billsbordering on the national debt.

The base price on our test vehicle was $19,280. Power brakes andsteering, all-season steel-belted radials, AM radio and dual outside mirrorsare some of the more popular standard items.

The more popular extra-cost goodies included tinted glass at $215,upgraded on/off road tires at $192.60, upgraded AM stereo/FM stereo withcassette and digital clock at $150, rear window wiper and defogger at $154, a heavy-duty trailering package at $408; and a preferred equipment packageconsisting of air conditioning, tilt steering, speed control, power locks and windows, power seats, rear window wiper/washer that runs $4,179.75 but wasdiscounted by $900.

Another key option was the automatic transmission priced at a mind-boggling $890.

The bottom line read $25,194, to which you add an equally high $595 infreight so that, before taxes, your`re a few tanks of gas shy of $26,000.

>> 1992 Chevrolet Blazer K1500Wheelbase: 111.5 inches.Length: 187.7 inches.Engine: 5.7 liter, 210 H.P. V-8Transmission: 4-speed automatic.Fuel economy: 13 m.p.g. city/17 m.p.g. highwayBase price: $19,280.Strong point: Larger size for more carrying and towing capacity.Four wheel ABS. Powerful V-8.Weak point: Getting inside requires pole vaulting. Fuel economykeeps it from being a commuter vehicle.>>